HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Free Full Text (PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Kiniry, J. R. Articles by Greenwade, J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Kiniry, J. R. Articles by Greenwade, J. Agricola Articles by Kiniry, J. R. Articles by Greenwade, J. Related Collections Agroclimatology Grazing Management

Modeling

Coastal Bermudagrass, Bahiagrass, and Native Range Simulation at Diverse Sites in Texas

^a USDA-ARS, Grassland, Soil and Water Res. Lab., 808 East Blackland Rd., Temple, TX 76513
^b USDA-ARS, 430 Heep Center, Texas A&M Univ. College Station, TX 77843-2474
^c Texas A&M Univ. Agric. Res. and Ext. Center, P.O. Box E, Overton, TX 75684
^d Texas Agric. Exp. Stn., 808 E. Blackland Rd., Temple, TX 76513
^e USDA-NRCS, P.O. Box 6567, Fort Worth, TX 76115
^f USDA-NRCS, 2301 N. Travis Ave., P.O. Box 1027, Cameron, TX 76520-1027
^g USDA-NRCS, 101 S. Main, Temple, TX 76501-7682

^* Corresponding author (jkiniry{at}spa.ars.usda.gov)

Received for publication April 13, 2006. Effective comparisons of natural grasslands and improved pasture require a robust model for plant growth, soil water balance, runoff, soil erosion, and climatic impacts. Our first objective was to develop plant parameters in the field that enabled the ALMANAC model to simulate growth of coastal bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.]. Pensacola bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge var saurae Parodi), and some common native, warm-season grasses. Parameters included leaf area, light interception, biomass growth, and nitrogen concentration. The maximum leaf area index values of coastal bermudagrass and bahiagrass were near 2.2. Those for native grasses other than switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) were much less. Mean values for light extinction coefficient ranged from 0.7 to 2.1. Radiation use efficiency values for four of the five measured grass species were between 1.0 and 2.0 g MJ^–1. Grass [N] values showed similar patterns of seasonal change among species. Our second objective was to use these grass parameters to simulate biomass production of coastal bermudagrass, bahiagrass, and some native grasses on representative soils in several counties in a number of regions of Texas. Counties and soils that were simulated represented a diversity of sites in Texas where improved grasses and native grasses are grown. The ALMANAC model reasonably simulated biomass means and SDs for native grasses, coastal bermudagrass, and bahiagrass. The model is a realistic tool to simulate effects of soil type and weather on native and improved grass productivity on such diverse sites.

Abbreviations: IPAR, intercepted photosynthetically active radiation • k, light extinction coefficient for Beer's law • LAI, leaf area index • LAImx, maximum leaf area index • [N], nitrogen concentrations • RLAD, rate of LAI decline • RUE, radiation use efficiency